Shift work and cancer – considerations on rationale, mechanisms, and epidemiology

Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health

Erhard Haus¹  Richard Stevens¹  Giovanni Costa² 

[1] ;Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Milano, “Clinica del Lavoro L Devoto”, 20122, Milano, Italy.;

关键词: health;    shift work;    mechanism;    prostate cancer;    night work;    circadian rhythm;    light;    melatonin;    discussion paper;    epidemiology;    sleep deprivation;    occupational exposure;    circadian rhythm disruption;    exposure;    night;    cancer;    lan;    breast cancer;    light at night;    risk assessment;    sleep;   

DOI  :  10.5271/sjweh.2899

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

This paper summarizes the rationale for, possible mechanisms of, and problems related to risk assessment of the association between shift work and cancer. The mechanisms by which circadian disruption may favor the induction and/or promotion of malignant tumors are complex and multifactorial. The multilevel endocrine changes caused by circadian disruption with melatonin suppression through light at night (LAN) lead to the oncogenic targeting of the endocrine-responsive breast in women and possibly the prostate in men. Repeated phase shifting with internal desynchronization may lead to defects in the regulation of the circadian cell cycle, thus favoring uncontrolled growth. Sleep deprivation leads to the suppression of immune surveillance that may permit the establishment and/or growth of malignant clones. The epidemiological studies published so far, although dealing with large cohorts and controlling for several personal confounders, have defined the exposure to shift and/or night work rather loosely and consequently do not allow for the proper assessment of the risk connected with circadian disruption.

【 授权许可】

Unknown